10 May,2026 05:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rupali Police officials said that Chakankar was called to record her statement. File Pic/X
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar on Sunday appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Nashik for questioning in connection with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat case, reported the PTI.
She was reportedly questioned over her alleged links with Ashok Kharat, who is currently under arrest in multiple rape and sexual exploitation cases.
Police officials said that Chakankar was called to record her statement as part of the ongoing probe into the cases registered against Kharat in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts in Maharashtra, the news agency reported.
Speaking to reporters before her questioning, Chakankar said she would fully cooperate with investigators and answer all questions put before her, according to the PTI.
She stated that several allegations had been made regarding her association with Kharat and added that cooperating with the investigation was her responsibility.
Chakankar had recently resigned as chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women's Commission and also stepped down as head of the NCP women's wing after controversy erupted over her alleged links with the accused godman.
Ashok Kharat was arrested by Nashik police on March 18 for allegedly raping a woman repeatedly over a period of three years.
During the investigation, police claimed to have uncovered several other alleged offences linked to Kharat, including sexual assault, cheating through black magic practices, land grabbing and financial fraud, as per the PTI.
The Maharashtra government later formed a Special Investigation Team to probe 12 separate cases against him.
Officials said investigators are likely to question Chakankar about her association with Kharat and allegations related to the use of her sister's bank account by the accused.
The case has also triggered a political controversy in Maharashtra.
Senior Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that Kharat had links with four ministers in the state cabinet and claimed the accused godman's life could be at risk while in prison.
Patole said the Congress would write to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking the removal of the ministers allegedly connected to Kharat.
Responding to the allegations, BJP leader and Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule challenged Patole to reveal the names of the ministers instead of making vague accusations.
Bawankule also assured that Kharat was safe in judicial custody.
Kharat has remained at the centre of a political storm since his arrest, with several photographs showing him alongside politicians and influential figures surfacing on social media and in public discourse.
The SIT investigation is currently ongoing.
(with PTI inputs)
